Santa Clara, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are navigating another week without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who is sidelined due to a recurring toe injury. In his absence, Mac Jones will take the helm during Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams, marking the third time this season Jones has stepped in as the starter.

Purdy initially sustained a toe injury during the season opener and subsequently missed two games before returning to action. Last Sunday, he managed to complete 22 of 38 passes for 309 yards in a challenging loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, following that performance, a flare-up of the injury prevented him from practicing this week, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The recent setback occurred when Purdy was hit in a similar manner during the Jaguars game as he was in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, according to reports. An MRI indicated that he has aggravated the turf toe injury, prompting the team to classify his status as week-to-week.

In his limited appearances this season, Purdy has achieved a completion rate of 65.8%, tossing for 586 yards along with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Meanwhile, Jones has demonstrated a solid performance, completing 66.3% of his attempts for 563 yards, recording four touchdowns and just one interception.

However, Jones will face added challenges during Thursday’s matchup, as the 49ers will be without key wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, both of whom are dealing with injuries. This leaves Jones with fewer options in the receiving corps as he prepares to lead the 49ers against the Rams.

As the 49ers aim to remain competitive in their division, the coaching staff will closely monitor Purdy’s recovery. The team’s projections for the rest of the season will depend significantly on the quarterback’s ability to return to form swiftly. Meanwhile, Jones’s performance will be critical in ensuring the team stays in contention as they navigate the challenges of the NFL season.